Four to interview for Winthrop Police Chief opening

by Michael Mattison There was a great response to fill the vacant Winthrop police chief position. The City of Winthrop received 15 application to fill the opening. The police committee narrowed that number down to four for interviews. Those interviews will be held this week and will conclude by Monday, Jan. 31. Those being interviewed are Kevin Fisher, Logan Anderson, Dmitri Okonitski and Jeremy Lerfald. The police committee hopes to have a recommendation for hire to the fill Winthrop City Council at its next regular meeting on Monday, Feb. 7. After an offer is made a background check will need to be performed. If one is chosen from another rural area, that city has to have a backup plan for its position as well. City Administrator Michael Looft said that it could be another 30 days after the offer that the new chief is in place. He is hoping that the new person is in place the beginning of March. “One of the great things is we had really good local candidates,” Looft said. “We had some out of state and large metro areas but these were all local. They know what they are getting into. I think they will be really good at community responsiveness. We are really excited.” Aron Hacker has been filling in as the interim police chief. “Aron has been doing a lot for the city,” Looft said. In addition to being the interim police chief, she continues her duties as school resource officer at GFW Schools. “Her plate has definitely been full but Aron has done an excellent job juggling and helping with the regular police work and all of the reporting that goes along with it.”